SBU MEN'S BASKETBALL - SECOND HALF RALLY PUSHES SBU OVER #18 PITTSBURG ST.

SECOND HALF RALLY PUSHES SBU OVER #18 PITTSBURG ST.

January 8, 2005

Junior Deon Davis scored a game high 23 points and went 5-10 from behind the arc.

BOLIVAR, MO. ...After being unsuccessful against #10 Emporia State on New Year's Day, SBU won their first game over a nationally ranked opponent for the first time in years.

Being down 57-46, Sheldon Pace knocked down a three pointer with 12:22 remaining in the game to spark a 19-4 run to push Southwest Baptist (8-5, 2-2 MIAA) over #18 Pittsburg State (11-2, 2-2 MIAA) 80-72 on Saturday night from the Meyer Sports Center.

The lead kept changing hands in the next four minutes before SBU finally gained control behind a 10-0 run in the last 2:50 of the game to close out the upset victory. With the win, Head Coach Jeff Guiot remains perfect (2-0) against his alma mater, where he was an all-american player during the 1986 season.

The Bearcats were led by Deon Davis who chipped in with a game high 23 points and five rebounds. Davis went 8-17 from the field including 5-10 from behind the arc. Pace ended with 11 points and one assist shy from giving him his first double-double of his career. Rommel Colina shot 66% from the field for 15 points.

The Gorillas were led by junior guard Eddie Jackson, the conference's top returning scorer. Jackson led PSU with 22 points while grabbing down seven rebounds. PSU guard Jason Taylor also contributed with 14 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes of action.

With the victory, SBU now has eight wins on the season, which now tops the 2003-2004 squad, which went 7-20. Southwest Baptist next plays at Missouri-Rolla (6-6, 0-3 MIAA), who is coming off of an 87-53 loss at Washburn on Saturday. The game is scheduled to tip off on Wednesday, January 12 at 7:30 pm

KEY STATS: Entering Saturday's game vs. PSU, SBU was ranked #9 in the season's first regional ranking while the Gorillas were ranked #2 only behind undefeated Southwestern Oklahoma St. Pittsburg State also was ranked #18 by the NABC.

The Bearcats shot 15-34 from behind the arc (44%) to Pittsburg State's 4-18 (22%).

Bench Points - SBU 29, PSU 15

2nd Half FG% - SBU 14-26 (53.8%), PSU 11-30 (36.7%)

2nd Half 3pt. FG% - SBU 9-17 (52.9%), PSU 1-13 (7%)